Gradovich wins IBF featherweight crown

Ringside Results by Scott Ploof
Photo: Emily Harney

Unbeaten Evgeny Gradovich (16-0, 8 KOs) dethroned IBF featherweight champion Billy Dib (35-2, 21 KOs) by twelve round split decision on Friday night at the MGM Grand Theater located in the Foxwoods Resort in Mashantucket, Connecticut. It was a rugged fight with Dib getting off to a good start, but the relentless pressure of Gradovich began to pay dividends as the fight progressed. Referee Eddie Claudio deducted a point from both fighters in round eight. Gradovich, who took the fight on one-month notice after Cuban Olympian Luis Franco pulled out of the title shot over the size of an ESPN purse, came on strong down the stretch to win by scores of 114-112, 114-112 on two cards. Dib was up 114-112 on the third card.
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NABF junior middleweight title holder Willie Nelson (20-1-1, 12 KO’s) retained his title as he knocked his opponent Michael Medina (26-4-2, 19 KO’s) down twice in the first round, which prompted referee Arthur Mercante to stop the bout. The first knockdown Nelson landed a straight right, and the second came a few seconds later after a huge right hook. Time of the stoppage was 2:00 of the first round.
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Jimmy Williams (2-0, 1 KO), who once tried out for the Oakland Raiders in the NFL, made a terrific transition to professional boxing as he out classed Raynard Younger (0-2) over four rounds giving Williams the shutout unanimous decision victory in their four round welterweight bout. All three judges scored the bout 40-36.
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Luis Olivares (1-0, 1 KO), fighting out of Glendale, AZ, made a emphatic statement in his first professional fight knocking down his opponent junior welterweight Rafael Munoz (1-2) twice in the first round to earn his first professional technical knockout at 1:38 after referee Johnny Callas called a halt to the bout.
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Providence, RI’s own Shelly Vincent remained undefeated as she defeated her opponent Mikayla Nebel (0-4) by unanimous decision in a four round female junior featherweight match-up. Scores of the bout were 40-36 on all three cards. Vincent out landed her opponent at every opportunity and was especially effective in close with Nebel backed against the ropes.
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Undefeated featherweight Luis Rosa, Jr. (13-0, 6 KO’s) put on a boxing clinic against his opponent New York’s Jhovany Collado (4-7-2, 1 KO) by defeating him convincingly with a unanimous eight round decision. Scores of the bout were a shutout with all three judges scoring the bout 80-71.
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Quincy, MA native Ryan “The Polish Prince” Kielczwski (16-0, 3 KOs) kept his undefeated streak in tact as he dominated his opponent Gil Garcia (5-4-1, 1 KO) over eight rounds to score a unanimous decision in a junior lightweight bout. Kielczwski utilized his height and reach advantage to land punches at will on Garcia. Scores of the bout were 80-72 twice and 79-73.